S. Samuel
West Coast rapper Kendrick Lamar's dream of having music diva Janet Jackson swing through for his "Poetic Justice" music video may come into fruition after providing the latest update.
According to Lamar, his recent plea for Jackson to come through did not fall onto deaf ears.
“Yeah, she heard the message, so we’re still crossing our fingers right now,” Kendrick told MTV News. “She heard it, she heard it.” Kendrick didn’t want to give away much about the upcoming video, but was impressed by how a simple interview was able to nab Jackson’s attention. “I appreciate you for that, for putting it out there like that, that was perfect,” he said, thanking MTV News. “That’s crazy to me to know that they’re aware of the music, but they’re actually listening to it and they can actually get something that I write on Twitter and everybody else around the world will spread it to them if I can’t reach it.” (MTV)
Around mid-December, Kendrick publicly pleaded for Janet to consider coming through for the music video.
Lamar even went as far to make a personal pitch to the icon, hoping to eliminate the difficult process that often comes with working with a star of Jackson’s stature. “Janet, c’mon, Janet. No paperwork with the managers, contact the managers. This is artist to artist,” he pleaded. “This is a young boy that looked up to you for years. Please, yeah, video, Janet Jackson ‘Poetic Justice.’ It’ll only be right.” (MTV)
Recently, he talked about wanting to put a mini-film behind the album and what possible entertainers he viewed as ideal to portray select characters.
“Visuals… When I call it a short film, I don’t just call it that for the sake of the album. So that’s a hint,” Lamar said when asked what is next for him. “[I could see myself] directing for sure. I haven’t really thought about starring in it… I can, because it is me and my life. [Who’d play me?] Anyone in the world? It would have to be somebody… there’s one kid on The Wire, Tristan Wilds [who played Mike Lee]. [Mom?] I probably get Taraji Henson. [And Sherane?] I would love to see Rihanna in my movie [laughs]. Looking at this cover right here, man.” (GQ)
Last month, the West Coast rapper dropped his “Backseat Freestyle” music video.
Kendrick Lamar has been hinting at a short film inspired by good kid, m.A.A.d city. It’s unclear if this new video for “Backseat Freestyle” is part of that project, but the self-directed black-and-white clip visualizes many of the album’s greatest moments, including Papa Lamar and his goddamn Domino’s, the voluptuous Sherane, and scenes of the Eiffel Tower. (Consequence of Sound)
